The 'Doves'
Artifact ID1973.1.1997
Object Type
Cartoon Drawing
Medium
Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 20 1/2 in x W 15 in (52.1 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionPhysical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. A battered LBJ holds a shield ("Dominican Republic Mission") and a broken sword ("Vietnam"), and he is surrounded by doves. In the top left, the dove has the face of a man with a beard and he holds a guitar. In the top right, the dove has the face of a man and he holds a dagger. In the bottom left, the dove has the face of a man and he holds a diploma. In the bottom right, the dove has the face of a woman with a hat and glasses and she holds a sign. Caption: “The 'Doves'”. Artist signature lower right: "Wetzel”.
Historical NoteIn April 1965, the Dominican Revolutionary Party installed a president in the National Palace. In response, President Johnson sent Marines to the Dominican Republic to evacuate American citizens from the country, end the civil war, and establish a conservative Reformist Party government. In August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, the year this cartoon was made, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war with 175,000 American troops. Anti-war “doves” included both people who opposed the war ideologically, considering it to be unjust, and people who just believed the war was unwinnable. In this cartoon, one of the doves holds a guitar, alluding to the hippie counterculture, and another holds a diploma, alluding to how prevalent the antiwar movement was on college campuses.Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon B Johnson Presidential Library in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced
Lyndon Baines Johnson
(United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Subjects
Place Described